Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting, Visits IPMAN ....Gives 7 Days Ultimatum For Re-adjustment Of Fuel Pump

Following the inauguration of the Akwa Ibom Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC) by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, last Friday, the committee held its inaugural meeting earlier today at luton Park Hotels, Uyo  with resolution to curb the lapses in the Petroleum Products sector.

The inaugural meeting which was chaired by the Committee Chairman,  Hon Godwin Ekpo, was attended by members of the committee who deliberated extensively on key issues affecting the petroleum sector .

Meanwhile, the committee paid a familiarization visit to the Independent  Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Uyo branch  to sharpen smoother relationship with the state government  to bring sanity to the sector .

Speaking at the visit, the Committee Chairman, Hon Godwin Ekpo, thanked IPMAN for their role in making petroleum products available in the state, called for peaceful co- existence and synergy .

He urged IPMAN to turn a new live of partnership  for progress, assured them of the committee's readiness and co-operation to ensure normalcy return to the sector .

Ekpo, while appealing to IPMAN leadership to advise their members against  adjusting petroleum pumps, hinted that, the committee will not tolerate adjustment of petroleum pumps, gave 7 days ultimatum to airing petroleum marketers and  station owners  to re-adjust their pumps. 

" Thank you  IPMAN for opening your doors for us, let us be partners in progress and put an end to excesses in the petroleum products sector. 

Please, tell your members, marketers and station owners who adjusted their pumps to cheat Akwa Ibomites to re-adjust their pumps, we  will give them 7 days of grace to re-adjust their pumps, we  want 1 liter of fuel to be 1 liter not 0.10, if we come to your station and see that your pump is adjusted, we will take the necessary steps" he said.

Hon Ekpo, further appealed to them not to  withdraw  service again, but discuss their challenges for a lasting solution, maintained that, the last withdrawal of service 3 weeks ago posed unnecessary hardship on Akwa Ibomites.

"Our mandate as a committee is to chart a new course for peace and stability of petroleum products in the state, we don't want withdrawal of service and escalation again, because during the last withdrawal of service 3 weeks ago, Akwa Ibom people paid through their nose to get petroleum products".

The Committee Chairman,  also expressed displeasure over diversion of petroleum products and selling of adulterated products, called  on perpetuators to repent  from the act or face the law.

Ekpo, however announced the dissolution of  illegal petroleum structures across the state and depots.

Earlier in  his welcome remarks, the state  Chairman of IPMAN , Comrade Francis  Udoeyen thanked the committee for their visit, appreciated Governor Umo Eno for the formation of the committee which has addressed their yearning and aspirations.

Udoeyen, who described Pastor Umo Eno as a  capacity leader and a  listening Governor that  has spiritual eyes to address issues, reiterated their readiness to partner the committee to achieve it set goals and target.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of IPMAN, Evangelist Joseph Eyo commended the committee for their visit, hinted that, their withdrawal of services  is not always deliberate, but due to misinformation, asked the committee to always verify from IPMAN source before enforcement .

Others who spoke including the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James , SSA to the Governor on Petroleum Matters, Sir Victor Etefia called for synergy between IPMAN and the state government .